Johnson's big shot lifts Nets by Knicks

NEW YORK — Joe Johnson and the Nets left Madison Square Garden for the last time this regular season, even with the Knicks in the series and right behind them in the standings.

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Joe Johnson and the Nets left Madison Square Garden for the last time this regular season, even with the Knicks in the series and right behind them in the standings.

Year One of a new rivalry for the Nets and Knicks is over — barring a postseason matchup — and Johnson thinks it lived up to expectations.

"You've got two teams in New York. They want to be the top dogs. We want to be the top dogs. It's a battle. We split. We'll see what happens next," he said.

Johnson made the go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds left and scored 25 points, leading the Nets to an 88-85 victory over the Knicks on Monday and a split of the four games.

Deron Williams added 14 points and 12 assists for the Nets (25-16), who cut the Knicks' Atlantic Division lead to one game. Brook Lopez had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Kris Humphries came off the bench for 11 points and 13 boards.

The Nets won the first matchup, and then the Knicks (25-14) took the next two and opened a huge lead in the standings that the Nets have spent most of the last month wiping away.

"Big game tonight! The Garden got really quiet on the way out!" Humphries posted on Twitter.

Carmelo Anthony had 29 points and seven assists for the Knicks, but missed all six shots in the fourth quarter and finished 11-of-29 for the game. J.R. Smith scored 16 points and Amare Stoudemire 15.

"It's over. We don't see them anymore, but it is the beginning of something that's going to be here for a long, long time," Anthony said.

The Nets survived a pair of lengthy droughts in the second half but got 10 points in the final period from Johnson.

Anthony had his 26th straight 20-point game, tied with Stoudemire for third-longest streak in franchise history, but the Knicks were sluggish early in their first game since playing in London on Thursday.

The Knicks took the lead on Anthony's free throws with 40 seconds to play. But the Nets got the ball on the next possession to Johnson, who dribbled toward the baseline and pulled up for the go-ahead basket.

Anthony missed badly on the next possession and the Knicks fouled Williams, who made both foul shots with 8.3 seconds to play for a three-point lead. Jason Kidd made one after the Nets fouled him intentionally, but the Knicks had one final chance after Williams hit just one of two on his next trip. Smith's rushed 3-point attempt bounced off the backboard and front of the rim.